Chapter 23
ANNA‘ S POV
Nate stood there, looking hurt as hell.
“What the hell are you talking about, Anna?” he exclaimed. “Why the heck would I try to sabotage your company? I literally helped you start that business from the ground up!”
“Well, maybe it’s because of your silly jealousy and anger over my closeness with Caden,” I shot back. “Isn’t that why you’ve been so upset with me this whole time?”
“Silly? Anna, you think my reactions were just some silly, over–the–top display?” He shook his head.“Every single thing I’ve felt, everything I’ve done, has been real. It’s not some act, it’s how I truly feel.”
I scoffed, angling my chin to the side and looking away.
“Tell me about it! Aren’t you happy now,
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Nate? Happy that I had lost the connection to Caden, that I had lost our baby?”
He stared at me shocked, at a lost for words. Caden chose that moment to walk
- in. The colors had drained from his face.
“What… what are you saying, Anna?” he called out. His gaze darted between Nate and me. “Did I hear that right? You lost the baby?”
I felt the tears welling in my eyes as I nodded, my voice all shaky like a leaf. “Yes, Caden… the baby is gone.”
Caden’s face fell, and he took two giant steps forward, pulling me into a tight embrace. I didn’t have the strength to push him away, and instead, I found myself collapsing against him, the sobs that had been building up finally breaking free.
Nate stood there, a hurt look on his face, before turning and quietly leaving the room. I barely registered his departure, as Caden stroked my hair softly.
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After what felt like an eternity, Caden pulled back, his hand brushing the tears from my cheeks. “Anna, I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now.”
I nodded, offering him a weak smile. “Thank you. I just… I need to get out of here. Can you please take me home?”
E
He nodded. “Of course. Let me speak to the doctor, and we’ll get you discharged.”
As Caden spoke with the doctor, I found myself once again reaching for my phone, the urge to check the notifications almost overwhelming. But Caden’s hand gently covered mine.
“Anna, I know you’re probably tempted to dive back into everything that’s happening with your company, but not now when you’re still grieving. Please focus on you, the backlash can wait,” he told me in a firm voice.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded,
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reluctantly setting my phone aside. Caden was right – I needed to take care of myself first, before I could even begin to tackle the crisis unfolding around my brand.
Once the discharge paperwork was complete, Caden helped me to his car, his arm wrapped securely around my waist. The drive to his home was silent, except for the occasional sniffle from me as I stared out the window, watching the houses and trees breeze past.
Caden turned to me at some point with a concerned look. “Anna, is it alright if I take you to my place? I know it might not be ideal, but I don’t want you to be alone right now.”
I agreed and once we were in the house, Caden guided me to the guest room, helping me get comfortable.
“Is there anything I can get you? Some water, maybe?”
“Water would be great, thank you,” I
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murmured, my gaze on the tiled floors.
When he was back with the water and I was taking a sip, he asked what really happened with the baby.
“Jessica attacked me in the bathroom when
I went to meet with a client. She was so… so jealous. She pushed me, and I hit the sink, and then…”
“That bitch,” he hissed, his jaw clenched in anger. “How could she do that to you? To our baby?”
Without a word, he pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen typing. out a message.
“I’m making sure Jessica is tracked down and detained immediately. That little witch is not going to get away with this.”
I told him it was fine and I just wanted to rest already.
“Here, let me grab you one of my t–shirts,” he said in a gentle voice. “I know you
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probably don’t have what to change into.”
He returned with a soft black t–shirt I know he loved wearing and handed it to me with a reassuring squeeze of my hand. “Go ahead and get comfortable. Then draw you a bath so you can relax.”
I retreated to the bathroom and after showering, slipped the shirt over my head, his scent hitting my nose.
In the past, wearing Caden’s clothes had always brought me a sense of comfort. But now, it felt… different. The welcoming embrace I’d once known was no longer
there.
Had it really been that long ago that I’d felt so at home in this space, with Caden by my side? Now, it felt like a lifetime ago. Crazy.
“Anna, how are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you? Are you hungry?” he asked as soon as he returned into the room, few minutes after I had dressed.
I shook my head, telling him I was alright.
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“I know this isn’t easy. But I want you to know that no matter what, I’m here for you. I still love you, and I always will.”
I realized that it was Nate’s love and reassurance that I craved at this moment, not Caden’s.
“I appreciate that, I really do. But right now, I don’t think I can handle hearing those words from you.” I replied bluntly.
He lingered for a moment, as if debating whether to say more, but then he turned and headed for the door. “If there’s anything you need, just let me know. I’ll be in the living room if you want some company.”
He paused and turned to look at me again. “Can I… can I spend the night with you?”
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